Scott ArnesonMerrillGMHOF 2012 NWHOF-WI Lifetime Service 2017

Scott Arneson was born on August 29, 1965 in Mason City, Iowa to David and Judie Arneson. There he lived with his older brother, Shane, and younger sister, Kelly, until the family relocated to Rhinelander, WI in 1976. It was in Rhinelander that Scott really became intrigued by the sport of wrestling. He became part of the junior high program, and it has been in his blood ever since. In high school, Scott took part in cross country in addition to wrestling. As a sophomore and junior, Scott qualified for the WIAA state tournament, finishing 5th as a sophomore, and he finished out his senior year as a state champion at 105 pounds, with an overall record of 101 wins and 16 losses. However, it wasn?t over for Scott. Summer wrestling, within the WWF, played a key factor in Scott?s success. For years, he traveled around the country and even out of the country finding the competition to make him better. His hard work and dedication paid off as he earned the honor of All American in Greco wrestling during his junior summer.

Wally Iselin and UW Platteville locked in Scott in the fall of 1984. There he majored in physical education, with a minor in health education. Scott continued to have a very successful wrestling career at UW Platteville. He was a 4X NCAA Division III national qualifier, and he earned All American status 2X. Scott was a NCAA Division III Academic All American, a 3X WSUC Conference champion, and earned the OW for the conference in his senior year.

Scott graduated in the winter of 1988. After that he did a health internship at Hazelgreen Southwestern High School, where he was also able to be an assistant coach at UW Platteville, under his wrestling mentor, Wally Iselin.

In the fall of 1989, Scott began his career as teacher and coach for Merrill Area Public Schools. He began as an "At Risk" teacher and Jr. High wrestling coach, under Arvo Britten. Scott worked his way through various teaching and coaching positions, to finally end up where he is today, teaching health and physical education at the high school level, and being the 4th Varsity head coach for the Merrill Wrestling program. Some of his fondest Merrill wrestling memories include being an assistant coach, under Roger Wendorf, for the 1st and 2nd Team State Championships in 1992 and 1993. This was especially cool since many of the wrestlers on the team were on his junior high team when he first came to Merrill. As head coach (over the past 13 years), Scott has advanced 31 wrestlers to the individual state competition, where 4 were champions, 2 were runner ups, and 9 others placed.

For Scott, wrestling has never been a November through February sport. He created the Northern Exposure Training Site, which runs from March to May. All ages are present and all styles covered. Wrestlers come from as far as 2 hours away to train with "Arnie" for a couple of hours 2 times a week. In addition to this, each summer since graduating from college, he has coached at the schoolboy, cadet and/or junior level. Scott feels that he needs to give back to the sport that has given him so much.

In addition to his parents and siblings being great supporters. He also has great support from his wife, Lauriel, and children; Brooke (17), Scott Jr. (16), and Erica (7). Both Brooke and Erica are active cheerleaders, camera people, and managers, and Scott Jr. is following in his dad?s footprints, as a great wrestler. This last year Scott Jr. was the #113 wrestler on his dad?s varsity team, as a freshman. It was amazing to watch his level of talent and intensity.